Does income imply food security in coffee growing communities? A case study in Yayu, Southwestern Ethiopia

The impacts on food security of a transition from agriculture focused on local consumption to the participation in global markets are uncertain, with both positive and negative effects reported in the literature. In Ethiopia, coffee production for global markets has attracted growers from across the country to the coffee-forest zones. From a national perspective, the area is not a priority for food security enhancement, as financial indicators suggest food sufficiency. In this setting, we collected food security and dietary intake data from a total of 420 (3X140) units of households, non-breast-feeding children under 5 years, and women of reproductive age. Sampling was done in two-stages, a random selection of 300 households (out of a total of 4,300) Yayu, followed by sub-sampling of households with a child and woman meeting the above-mentioned criteria. Samples were used to determine a number of food and nutrition security indicators. More than 83% of the households were found to be hunger-free in the shortage season, but dietary diversity was suboptimal. More than 50% of children under 5 years of age and women lacked foods containing heme iron in the surplus season and 88% in the shortage season. Household food security during the surplus season did not depend on income, but wealth was significantly correlated (p < 0.01) with all of the food insecurity indicators except the “Body Mass Index” of target women in the shortage season. The strongest and weakest correlation was with the “House Food Insecurity Access Scale” (−0.85), and “Weight-to-Age Z-Score” (0.25), respectively. Overall, Yayu is not fully food secure, though the situation is better than average for the country. While household income helps in achieving calorific sufficiency, greater awareness of the relevance of dietary diversity and the local means to achieve it is needed to further improve nutritional status, regardless of the participation in global markets

When neglected species gain global interest: Lessons learned from quinoa's boom and bust for teff and minor millet

Until recently, many so-called neglected and underutilized species (NUS) were not present in global markets despite playing a pivotal role in the local livelihoods in their places of origin. Today, some NUS receive substantial global interest and face growing global demands. Sudden increases in consumer demand trigger prices to rise; land-use change at the farm and national levels results in a rapid production increase. This phenomenon is known as “boom” and is usually followed by a “bust”, a rapid decrease in prices, and subsequently, production. This review elaborates on the boom-and-bust phases of two NUS: quinoa from the Andes and teff from Ethiopia. We explored the potential upcoming boom of minor millets in India. Our study proposes a generic framework for exploring cross-scale interactions and rethinking sustainability pathways for future NUS booms.EEA FamailláFil: Andreotti, Federico. Wageningen University & Research. Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing; Países BajosFil: Andreotti, Federico. CIRAD; FranciaFil: Andreotti, Federico. Université Paul Valery Montpellier; FranciaFil: Bazile, Didier. CIRAD; FranciaFil: Bazile, Didier. Université Paul Valery Montpellier; FranciaFil: Biaggi, Maria Cristina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Callo-Concha, Daniel. University of Bonn. Center for Development Research (ZEF); AlemaniaFil: Callo-Concha, Daniel. University of Koblenz-Landau. Institute for Environmental Sciences (iES); AlemaniaFil: Jacquet, Julie. University Paris Ouest-Nanterre (LAVUE); FranciaFil: Jacquet, Julie. French Institute of Pondicherry; IndiaFil: Jemal, Omarsherif M. Arsi University. College of Agriculture and Veterinary Science. Department of Forestry; EtiopíaFil: King, Oliver I. M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation; IndiaFil: Mbosso, C. Bioversity International; ItaliaFil: Padulosi, Stefano. Bioversity International; ItaliaFil: Speelman, Erika N. Wageningen University & Research. Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing; Países BajosFil: van Noordwijk, Meine. World Agroforestry (ICRAF); IndonesiaFil: van Noordwijk, Meine. Wageningen University & Research. Plant Production Systems; Países Bajo

Does income imply food security in coffee growing communities? A case study in Yayu, Southwestern Ethiopia

The impacts on food security of a transition from agriculture focused on local consumption to the participation in global markets are uncertain, with both positive and negative effects reported in the literature. In Ethiopia, coffee production for global markets has attracted growers from across the country to the coffee-forest zones. From a national perspective, the area is not a priority for food security enhancement, as financial indicators suggest food sufficiency. In this setting, we collected food security and dietary intake data from a total of 420 (3X140) units of households, non-breast-feeding children under 5 years, and women of reproductive age. Sampling was done in two-stages, a random selection of 300 households (out of a total of 4,300) Yayu, followed by sub-sampling of households with a child and woman meeting the above-mentioned criteria. Samples were used to determine a number of food and nutrition security indicators. More than 83% of the households were found to be hunger-free in the shortage season, but dietary diversity was suboptimal. More than 50% of children under 5 years of age and women lacked foods containing heme iron in the surplus season and 88% in the shortage season. Household food security during the surplus season did not depend on income, but wealth was significantly correlated (p < 0.01) with all of the food insecurity indicators except the “Body Mass Index” of target women in the shortage season. The strongest and weakest correlation was with the “House Food Insecurity Access Scale” (−0.85), and “Weight-to-Age Z-Score” (0.25), respectively. Overall, Yayu is not fully food secure, though the situation is better than average for the country. While household income helps in achieving calorific sufficiency, greater awareness of the relevance of dietary diversity and the local means to achieve it is needed to further improve nutritional status, regardless of the participation in global markets

Innovations to Overcome the Increasingly Complex Problems of Hunger

Hunger has become ever more complex, and therefore efforts to sustainably eradicate hunger and malnutrition depend on policies and programs that match these complexities. Innovations are critical for progress. However, they require increased public and private investments as well. Key elements of inclusive policies and partnerships are agricultural development in the hunger-affected rural areas and communities to improve productivity will remain a Major part of solutions. Farmers’ own innovation capacities need strengthening. Investment in Food and agricultural research and development (R&D) is an important tool for broad-based innovation, for instance, related to improved seeds. Digital technology is a game changer for food and nutrition security. Innovations for improved market functioning and avoidance of price shocks require information and early warning systems, as well as better preparedness with improved trade and food reserves policies. The environmental and climate change aspects of agricultural and land and water use change need more attention for sustainable hunger reduction. More attention to innovative social protection and direct nutrition intervention programs is needed, including addressing the micronutrient deficiencies in rural and urban areas. Hunger in complex emergencies needs to bring together development policy with diplomacy and security policy. Innovation initiatives like any development Investments must follow principles of good governance, achieving investment at low transaction costs, sound financial practices, and avoidance of diversions of funds